Best Electric Pressure Cookers for Making Nutritious Meals

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 18, 2019

If you are looking for a fast and effective way to cook wholesome and delicious meals, an electric pressure cooker is the best choice you can make. Energy-efficient and functional, it will help to save your time and money, as well as preserve the nutritional value of foods....Read more...Read less

No other model comes with as many extra accesories like this one. Plus, the manufacturer offers a special mobile app with thousands of recipes and step-by-step videos.

CONS

The steam rack/trivet is a bit flimsy.

OUR VERDICT

The Mealthy MultiPot is a definite leader on the market of pressure cookers. It's extremely intuitive and functional. And thanks to the Mealthy App, you will be able to cook a variety of delicious recipes like a pro.

This cooker has a canning/preserving mode, so you will be able to can the food you like with less effort.

Rice/Risotto mode will appeal to people who like pilaf.

CONS

It takes reasonable space on a counter.

OUR VERDICT

The Power Pressure Cooker XL is a great option for big families. It is capacious enough to treat up to 8 people to delicious meals at once. And canning mode will be particularly beneficial for new parents.

Alexa compatibility is probably the biggest edge over the competition. The pot integrates with Alexa, meaning you can turn it on from your smartphone.

CONS

The instructions are a little unclear.

OUR VERDICT

The Instant Pot DUO60 is a real bestseller on the market. It's reasonably priced, multi-functional, durable, and ultra-smart. If you're turning your home into a smart house using Alexa, this one is the perfect pick.

The cooker allows you to adjust the temperature and time to fit an exact recipe you are going to make. That's a rare feature typically not found in other models.

CONS

The markings on the lid come off easily.

OUR VERDICT

The Gourmia GPC800 is a real pleasure cooker. It's very easy to use and easy to clean. Even if you have no prior experience of pressure cooking, you'll find the unit very straightforward and intuitive.

Mealthy MultiPot 9-in-1

The Winner

Although there are lots of sophisticated pressure cookers with numerous cooking options on the market, the Mealthy MultiPot is an absolute winner for us. And let's specify the reasons why we prefer this pot over other cookers out there.

For starters, the Multipot is very intuitive right from the beginning. With simple, straightforward directions that easily explain how to set it up and use, it's more than enough proof. The instructions are clear and fun to read, so you can start cooking in no time after delivery.

The easy-touch LCD control panel has a very nice layout with 9-in-1 cooking functions and 14 preset programs. It features clearly-labeled icons and progress indicator with countdown screen taking away all the guesswork of cooking. Additionally, the unit plays nice tunes to let you know that you're doing everything correctly.

While most other pressure cookers simply don't inform where you are in the cooking process, this model has a time tracker allowing you to see whether the cooker is preheating, cooking, etc. We found that a very handy feature for mealtime planning.

The last but not the least, the pot is beautiful. The finish looks nothing like usual brushed stainless steel appliances. It's more of a sleek "black stainless" that looks rich on a counter. Plus, the unit is of great size to integrate perfectly into your kitchen. It has a 6-quart capacity that is good for 2-6 people.

Nice Extras

We are also excited about the accessories that come with the MultiPot. According to our research, no other model comes with as many goodies as this. The following extras will be definitely useful during the cooking process:

Silicone mitts are a bomb. They are perfectly-sized and thick enough to provide safe inner pot removal and transportation.

4-cm raised steam rack/trivet. Though some users claim it's a little bit flimsy, we found it particularly handy for a million of uses. For example, you can elevate veggies or spaghetti squash out of the water.

A steamer basket is a huge value add. It enables you to cook two dishes at once.

Two rubber seals - one for desserts and the other for savory foods.

Quick-reference and cheat sheets (can be put on your fridge). That's not particularly an extra accessory, but a one-page guide to the basics of pressure cooking. It shows customers how to cook everything they could ever want to cook in a pressure cooker.

The full-color recipe booklet is also included.

On top of that, the manufacturer kindly offers you instructional videos on their website and a special app that can help you cook like a pro in no time. Hands down, the MultiPot is a real standout among pressure cookers.

Additional Info

Power Pressure Cooker XL 10 Qt

For Large Families

As the name suggests, the Power Pressure Cooker XL is the extra large option for cooking delicious homemade meals for a big family. With the incredible 10-quart capacity, this mighty one can cook large batches per one go, in a fraction of the time! Equipped with powerful 1400-Watt motor, the pot prepares mouthwatering meals 70% faster compared to conventional ovens. For example, it can do a whole chicken (or even a decent size turkey) in 30 minutes only. However, the tradeoff for that high capacity and quick cooking time is a rather bulky size of the unit. This kitchen miracle takes quite a lot of counter space, but if you have a spacious kitchen and don't consider that an issue, you'll find nothing to dislike about this pot.

This cooker is certainly one of the best appliances in its class. It's an amazingly multifunctional unit that offers plenty of cooking settings, all of which are shown on the large control panel. With this powerful appliance, you'll be able to cook a delicious soup or stew, steam vegetables, slow cook meat, fry a whole chicken, cook beans and lentils, etc. Moreover, the unit has three special modes for cooking white, brown, and wild rice to perfection.

However, what completely sold us is the canning/preserving mode. This unique setting allows you to can the food you like with less efforts. No longer will you need to stay long hours by the oven. Simply, put the ingredients into the pot, choose the needed setting, and take your time.

Safety Comes First

The manufacturer guarantees delicious results due to Flavor Infusion Technology (air-tight lid), which keeps the super-heated steam inside the pot. As a result of such hyper-pressurized environment, the maximum amount of moisture and nutrients is locked in the food. Hence, even thick cuts of meat will be cooked to juicy perfection.

Yet, if you think that high pressure can make cooking not only fast but also quite dangerous, you have nothing to worry about. The Power Pressure Cooker XL is featured with a handy temperature control sensor which shows the actual heat inside a cooking cavity. Also, it's equipped with a safety steam release valve that decreases the pressure inside once it grows too high. Or you can use a manual release option.

All things considered, this multi-pot is not only powerful but reliable as well. It's the best electric pressure cooker for big families and big kitchens.

Additional Info

Instant Pot IP-DUO60

The Best Seller

With more than 30,000 reviews (mostly with 5-star rating) on Amazon, the Instant Pot DUO60 is an absolute bestseller in the US. Not without a reason. It's affordable, multi-functional, and durable - the main qualities people usually look for in this type of kitchen appliances. For less than $80, you get a stunning 7-in-1 cooker that combines a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, rice cooker, yogurt marker, a sauté/browning maker, and warmer in one neat casing. That said, the Instant Pot DUO is surely one of the leaders in terms of cooking options.

It comes with 14 built-in smart programs for dishes like soups, porridge, poultry, rice, bean, and many others. All the controls are simple and intuitive - there is a large panel with an LCD screen on the front of the unit. The same control panel also allows you to choose one of three temp settings (Less, Normal, and More) in 'Saute' and 'Slow Cook' modes to provide you with greater flexibility.

Owing to the latest 3rd generation technology, the microprocessor monitors the pressure, temperature, as well as adjusts heating intensity in each setting extremely precise. So, you can rest assured knowing that you'll get the desired results every time.

Extra Smart

If you're turning your home into a smart house using Alexa, you'll be pleased to know that the Instant Pot DUO successfully integrates with Alexa. This way, you can turn on the pot right from your work, simply using your smartphone. Of course, you can also set "delay" function before leaving your home, but just in case you forget, Alexa will be there to help you.

The Alexa guided cooking App offers 750+ recipes for the cooker, favorite recipe list, personalized grocery list, and more nifty features. Plus, the app also has Getting started videos, which is a great bonus as some users claim that the instructions that come in the box are a bit unclear and the unit has a steep learning curve.

Other features that contribute to the intelligence of the device include various sensors. There is an accurate thermal sensor that controls the temperature inside the pot, auto shut-off, and special magnetic sensor on the lid. The lid audibly tells you when it's properly sealed and visually lets you know when it's safe to open after the cooking. For sure, it's one of the most intelligent models out there. So, if you want to make your home smarter and your meals healthier, the Instant Pot DUO60 programmable cooker is a solid fit.

Gourmia GPC800

Good Value

The Gourmia GPC800 is definitely not a beast on the market of pressure cookers but still, it's a great value. It boasts a bunch of different cooking modes including Dessert, Meat, Soup, Saute, Steam, Poultry, Beans, Slow Cook, Rice, and Porridge, allowing you to cook a wide variety of meals to diversify your healthy menu.

Besides one-touch presets, the cooker also has an auto Keep Warm function that turns on as soon as cooking is complete and a 24-hour delay timer allowing you to come home to a fresh, hot, and delicious meal.

Another strength of the unit is its straightforwardness. All the controls are designed to make using this pressure cooker simple and easy. Even if you have no prior experience in pressure cooking, you'll face no difficulties.

Among other things that add appeal to this unit, we can highlight a free recipe book that is packed with simple dishes like mouth-watering soups, savory puddings, zesty barbecue beans, delicately steamed fillets as well as gourmet dishes like smokey bacon, honey balsamic glazed vegetables, lemon parmesan risotto, and more. Simply put, even if you're new to pressure cooking, this unit can bring your cooking experience to a whole new level.

Quick Clean-ups

The pot is designed with a sleek stainless steel exterior that is not only attractive but also fingerprint-resistant, meaning it preserves its top-notch condition for longer and requires minimum clean-ups. Of course, other materials are also used - a lid with a holder (for left and right handed users) is covered with a layer of high-quality plastic. However, the thing that soured our impression is that the markings on the lid have been washed off after a few cleanups in a dishwashing machine. Of course, that's not a huge deal if you've already figured out where the vent and lid need to be set. But for novice users, that might cause some inconveniences.

As for the interior, the inner pot is also made of stainless still. It has a non-stick coating that prevents burns and makes cleanups easier. The steaming rack included in the set is also made from steel and just like the stainless steel pot and plastic lid can easily go into a dishwasher. So, if you're searching for a pressure cooker that is easy to use and easy to clean, the Gourmia GPC800 is a great option.

Additional Info

Ninja PC101

Extra Precision

If you have already some cooking experience and want to master your skills, the Ninja Instant pot might be the best match for you. It's a super customizable cooker enabling users to set the needed heat and pressure level to bring any recipe to perfection. The Ninja Instant Cooker offers 2 pressure levels and 5 temperature settings, from Low to High, to let seasoned chefs take the total control over cooking. If you choose to steam or slow cook, the pot will offer multiple cook times and 3 temperature settings for tender, flavorful results. However, if you prefer to be more hands-on, you can choose one of the pre-set cooking modes.

Compared to other units on the market, the unit is featured with not that many automatical settings. It has only 5 built-in cooking functions (Pressure cook, Slow cook, Steam, Sear/Sauté, and Keep warm). These are the basic settings that can let you cook such dishes as soups, braised meats, chili, broths, grain and rice, hard-boiled egs, and desserts in no time. With 1000 watts of power, this one slashes cooking time by 70%, meaning more flavor and nutrients are preserved during the cooking process. Everything is sealed in! Hence, this is a good unit to start live healthy. Forget frozen dinners and yesterday's leftovers! Dine in style thanks to the Ninja PC101 multi-cooker.

Easy. Safe. Speedy. Yummy.

Any kitchen appliance must be safe in the first place, and that's where the Ninja PC101 cooker shines. This little piece of kitchenware is stuffed with as many as 11 safety features and has passed rigorous testing to earn the UL safety certification. Some of the safety features are self-explanatory like the cool-touch wall and handles, a safety lock on the lid, and extra silicone ring, while others are a little more sophisticated (the pressure regulation protection, automatic temperature and pressure control, moisture collection, etc). All these features make the appliance not only safe but also a lot more practical. They give you the confidence and peace of mind while cooking.

To wrap things up, with its basic functionality, precise adjustment options, and safe operation, the Ninja PC101 can fit both professionals and novice cooks alike. It offers the perfect blend of straightforwardness and extras.

Additional Info

What is an Electric Pressure Cooker?

Great inventions are often based on simple physics laws. And one of them says that temperature and pressure are directly proportional. In a heated sealed vessel, evaporated steam is trapped inside so it builds up the pressure which makes the water boiling point and the cooking temperature accordingly to rise. This means, your foods will be cooked faster with less electricity involved.

Modern electric pressure cookers have a number of user-friendly features that make prepping foods unbelievably simple. They allow you to pre-set cooking time, delay start, keep your foods warm till you are ready to serve them, adjust the pressure and heating intensity, as well as take benefit of pre-programmed cooking modes. In other words, you won't need to supervise the cooking process as you would with their stovetop counterparts. With the tendency to live healthier and spend less time on cooking, electric pressure cookers have become incredibly popular. Today, you can find a plethora of options on the market, and to make your choice less daunting, we have reviewed the five best electric pressure cookers for any need and budget.

To quickly cut, slice, and chop the ingredients before dropping them into an electric pressure cooker, we recommend you get one of these top-quality food processors.

And if you are looking for more energy-efficient solutions for your kitchen, you might be also interested ininduction cooktops.

What Features to Compare

Power and Capacity

These are the first features to consider when choosing an electric pressure cooker. The general rule is as follows: the larger the cooking pot is, the more powerful should be the heating element to provide the efficient performance of the appliance.

As for the pot's capacity, choose it depending on your needs. If you only cook for yourself, there might be no need to buy a large electric pressure cooker, especially if you have a small kitchen. In this case, a compact model with up to 3-oz capacity is an excellent option. On the other hand, if you need to feed a big family, a pot that allows making generous batches (8-oz or even larger) will be the best choice. Luckily, some capacious models have a pretty small footprint, so they won't take too much space on your countertop.

Cooking Modes and Settings

Electric pressure cookers usually have a number of preset modes that will enable you to make a variety of dishes with a single press of a button. You won't have to preset temperature and cooking time manually (though with some programmes you can adjust them if needed). Modern devices have at least eight settings, but some sophisticated models offer almost twice more. Moreover, some units will allow you to steam, slow cook, and even smoke foods. The main tip here is to make sure your chosen pressure cooker features those settings you are going to use.

The best electric pressure cookers are equipped with a keep warm function and a delay timer as well, which means you can have your meals ready whenever you want and keep them warm even if you are late for dinner.

Safety Features

Unlike their earlier prototypes, electric pressure cookers are equipped with a number of features to ensure the safety of use, including automatic temperature and pressure control, safety lock lid, cool outer wall and handles, anti-blockage vent, and more. For example, some models have lids that only open when the pressure inside the pot normalizes. Still, some cookers let you lower the steam by using a steam release valve. Please, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions to prevent any injury caused by hot steam.

Extras

Today most pressure cookers have an ergonomic non-stick inner pot and come with a spoon, measuring cup, and a user manual at the least. In addition, the purchase usually includes a water catch pot to keep your countertop clean and dry. If a pressure cooker doubles as a steamer, a steam tray is often included as well. Furthermore, some manufacturers have gone so far as to provide their pressure cookers with a smoking function; such products are equipped with special smoking pots and racks in addition to all the aforementioned accessories you typically get.

Benefits of Pressure Cooking

The first and foremost benefit is that pressure cooking allows you to preserve nutrients due to the shorter cooking time. In other words, though the cooking temperature is higher, you will get a more nutritious meal granted that you won't boil, braise, or steam it for too long. One more reason the cooked foods are more nutritious is that you can use less water for cooking compared to other cooking methods, because the pot is sealed and the steam is trapped inside. Vitamins and nutrients dissolve in the water you cook the ingredients in. So, unless you are making a broth, it is more preferable to steam foods rather than boil them. That's exactly what an electric pressure cooker offers.

You do not have to spend hours on cooking big batches. Whether you're making a dinner for two or your whole family, it will be ready in no time.

Shorter cooking time, in addition to other benefits it brings, means lower electricity bills.

Compared to conventional stovetops and ovens, electric pressure cookers trap heat inside, so there is less of it emitted into the kitchen. Any time of year, you will feel comfortable concocting appetizers or salads, while the main dish is being prepared.

You can put frozen meat, poultry, and other ingredients into the pot and have them quickly defrosted and cooked. For instance, you can prepare a whole chicken from frozen in about 45 minutes.

Pressure cooking is a great alternative to slow cooking. Just like the latter, it will allow you to make any meat tender, juicy, and melting in your mouth, but in a significantly shorter time.

The cool thing about using an electric pressure cooker is that you can make literally any dish without time-consuming preparations. For example, you can cook beans without presoaking them.

Most electric pressure cookers have a special setting (or even a few settings) for cooking rice. Hence, you do not need to buy a rice cooker separately. Do not forget to check the recommended rice to water ratio and use an included measuring cup to get the right proportions of your ingredients.

You can use the appliance to make flavorsome and nutritious meat and vegetable broths.

If your chosen model is equipped with a porridge setting, you can cook a healthy breakfast in a fraction of time, and without the need to monitor the cooking process.

An electric pressure cooker is ideal for making baby food - it will allow you to make delicious and nutritious vegetable purees free from any artificial additives.

You can make fantastic one-pot meals to treat all your family and friends without spending all day cooking.